Time’s up for the Yes2Rail blog, which I launched on June 30, 2008 as a paid consultant on Honolulu's elevated rail project. Yes2Rail’s August 13, 2012 post was its last following the author's move to Sacramento, CA. You’re invited to read four-plus years of information-packed entries, many of which are linked at our “aggregation site.” Look for the paragraph with red copy in the right-hand column, below. Mahalo for all the positive comments Yes2Rail received since its start.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

More Pro-Rail Testimony by the Next Generation; ‘I Support Rail because I Want To Return Home’

We’re mightily tempted to not add anything to Yes2Rail for a few days and leave our July 16th "True Confessions" post up here at the top of the page. That’s the one that quotes rail opponent Cliff Slater saying “…rail will have an effect on reducing traffic congestion from what it might be if we did nothing at all….” It’s a concession we’ve been waiting decades to hear from him.

Today’s focus is on a local high school graduate who’s now attending college on the mainland.

Shawna Piper Jordan

I’m a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and a current student at Yale University. I support rail development in Hawaii because I want to return home. I want to have a reason to be back here. Without innovation, without a look to the future, without development that can make us a competitive force in the Pacific region and the United States, there’s no reason for students to want to come back from the mainland.

A major opposition to my reason to want to have rail development is my grandfather. He says, “Why should I pay out of my retirement money to income tax? Why should I pay for something I might not be able to benefit from?” And my answer to him and others in Hawaii who are opposed to this for those same reasons (is) that you need to look to your children.

Once they’re able to have development in Honolulu, they’ll put money into the state, and this money in the state will help to support our aging population. So support us now in this development, and we’ll support you later. Thank you.

1 comment:

Anonymous
said...

Now that is one compelling testimony. Like every other modern metropolis, Honolulu is overrun with traffic. The next generation is inherently inexperienced but they could retain a future that more closely resembles the memories of previous generations, more carefree and car-free.

This Isn't Political

Yes2Rail is a blog about the Honolulu rail transit project, which has become the key issue in this year’s mayoral race. We comment on the candidates’ plans to address Oahu’s growing congestion problem and whether those plans could meet the need as well as elevated rail can and will. That’s not the same as criticizing the candidates, and we urge our readers to recognize the difference.

Another red-light runner meets Denver at-grade train, 6.13.12

Honolulu rail will be elevated, with zero possibility for accidents like those shown in this column in cities with at-grade systems. Visit our "aggregation site" for much more on why elevated rail is the only reasonable way to build Honolulu rail.

What riding the train will avoid

Bus Accident Aftermath on H-1

'Black Tuesday'--9/5/06 Crash Produced Nightmare Commute

Typical H-1 Traffic

About Me

After five years of active-duty service as an Army officer with duty stations in West Berlin and South Vietnam, reported and edited for newspapers and broadcast stations (including all-news radio) in Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles and Honolulu. Covered Honolulu city government for the Honolulu Advertiser and KGMB-TV. Served on Congressman Cec Heftel's staff in Honolulu and Washington, then managed corporate communications and was Hawaiian Electric Company's spokesman for nearly a decade. A communications consultant for 19 years before moving to California in 2012. Launched, produced and hosted Hawaii Public Radio's "live" weekly "Energy Futures" public affairs program in 2009-10. Authored books on The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific ("Punchbowl" 1982) and on the decline of standard grammar in business and society ("Me and Him Are Killing English!" 2007). Now an information officer with the California Department of Water Resources.